White House on lockdown after nearby shooting

Shooting recorded near the presidential residence in the United States led to a lockdown on Friday.

US Park Police tweeted that the shooting occurred after 2 pm on West Executive Drive, near 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

President Barack Obama was said to be away at the time of the incident. The White House press pool said the president was golfing at Joint Base Andrews.

However,  Vice-President Joe Biden was taken to a safe location, according to the police.

ABC News quoted sources as saying one person was shot by law enforcement officers near the White House.

Snipers took to the White House roof with guns drawn as people were cleared off the streets. Some people were heard screaming on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington Post said in a report.

A Capitol Police spokesman said the agency is monitoring the situation at the White House, but that all buildings remain open at the Capitol.

Trabian Shorters, the head of the advocacy group whose members were waiting in line to enter the Executive Office Building, said one of his companions heard shots, and officials quickly cleared the area.

“They started yelling for everyone to clear the canopy and get to the street,” Shorters was quoted to have said. “They were very emphatic. It was clearly very serious.”

Commenting on the incident, Muriel Bowser, mayor of DC, tweeted: “We are aware of the White House lockdown situation. I’ve been briefed by my public safety team [and] they are coordinating w federal partners.”